Ellen Degeneres is known as a very kind and generous woman. She is always helping out wherever she can, and that includes helping animals.

Ellen has also been outspoken about wanting to get people to watch the documentary “The Cove”. She’s had Hayden Panettiere on her show, tweeted about The Cove, and mentioned the documentary on her movie pick on her website.

Ellen Degeneres is giving away a trip to the infamous Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas as part of her 12 days of Christmas special. She has also given away trips to other casinos like the SLS and Planet Hollywood. She is aware of what happens to dolphins in captivity, and why it is wrong.. but she is most likely oblivious to the fact that Mirage is housing dolphins in the desert in a facility that chooses not to provide them with any type of shade structure during summers of 117F because “there is no shade in the ocean”.

The 10 dolphins that are suffering here in the Mojave desert could really use someone with a voice like Ellen to speak up for them and make some noise. We are certain if Ellen saw the pictures of Maverick and his eye surrounded by poxvirus, the lack of shade, and how many of us are picketing outside the Mirage to get the dolphins better care that it would really pull at her heartstrings. This could be the big break the dolphins need.

Picabo gave birth to a male dolphin at the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on May 15th 2001. Less than 4 years later, that dolphin calf had passed away from unknown reasons. His name was Rascal, or as Steve Wynn affectionately referred to him, Wizard, named after the dolphin’s father and original mojave dolphin, Merlin. His death rounded off 2004 with 4 cetacean fatalities within the Mojave desert.

Sigma was captured in 1975 from the waters of Texas, and she lived for almost 30 years in captivity. Her final swim was on March 21st 2004. Picabo was captive born, one of the first to take place at the Mirage habitat. Named after the US Olympic skiier, Picabo Street, she was born March 14th 1994. She only lived to be about 10 years old, passing away from acture septic peritonitis on July 6th 2004. Bugsy was born two weeks after Picabo on March 31st 1994. He passed away from a pulmonary abcess on July 2nd 2004, 4 days before Picabo. Picabo’s son, Rascal, passed away from a cause yet to be determined on December 3rd 2004. What happened within those pools in the year of 2004?????????

Protesters took to the Las Vegas strip on December 6th 2014 to alert the public that their money being spent at the Mirage is funding the abuse of cetaceans. Thirty activists lined themselves up along the gate in front of the iconic exploding volcano outside of the Mirage hotel. As the volcano erupted, tourists eyes were drawn as if by a magnet, to our signs in front of the action. Many people are completely shocked to find out that this hotel is keeping aquatic animals.

If this group existed a decade ago, we could of shut the dolphin habitat down. Four deaths in one year is outrageous. Mirage needs to feel the heat. Jim Murren, the CEO of MGM resorts, has told Free the Mojave Dolphins and Ric O’Barry that he plans to get shade up for the dolphins in 2015. Temperatures are currently frosty, but summer is fast approaching. These dolphins cannot go another year without any protection from the harsh environment.

Continue to contact the Mirage with your questions and complaints about the way they are choosing to make their money in a desert environment. Voice your concerns over the telephone at 702-791-7111. You can email Jim Murren, the CEO of MGM resorts at [email protected] or you can direct your emails to the person in charge of public relations Yvette Monet [email protected]Push for them to arrange a meeting between Ric O’Barry and Jim Murren. We keep being declined.